Factors Impeding the Implementation of Community Development Programs

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

 BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

The government has been burdened by the difficulties of development, resulting in the creation of additional development partners and stakeholders. After many years of independence, these actors have complemented the government’s efforts and even reached regions that the government has not yet reached. NGO’s, FBO’s, and community-based groups are some of the development partners (Atakpo 2022). According to the UNDP program document, the number of individuals living below the poverty line has decreased by 10% over the past decade thanks to interventions and community programs by development organizations. Interethnic and cross-regional disparities persist, with the most impoverished parts being the dry and semi-arid portions of the North and North Eastern provinces and the heavily populated regions of Nyanza, Western, and Coast provinces (Amin, 2022). As a means of tackling development difficulties, many development organizations have employed targeted interventions that are sector-specific, such as water and sanitation or income production, while others have concentrated on holistic methods that have sought to combine sectors.

Community development efforts began very early in Nigeria, before the arrival of the colonial master who forcibly lowered the walls of the land in order to liberate the minds of the people and educate them about development (Atakpo 2022). Missionaries’ activities also contributed to the rehabilitation of the community in order to achieve goals through the preaching of the Gospel, which led to the construction of the first storey building in Nigeria (1845) and a number of community development projects, including the first primary school in Nigeria called “Nursery of the infant church” in 1843, the first international market, the first church, the first agric school, and the first Teachers’ training school. In reality, the town is one of the earliest to be urbanized in West Africa, among towns such as Cape Town, Gold Coast, Benin city, and Free Town, with more than 30 streets in the 18th century indicating the existence of early community development but few other indications (Wealth, 2022).

Prior to the arrival of colonial administrations, the Nigeria community utilized communal efforts as the method for mobilizing community resources to offer physical improvements and functional amenities in the communities in order to better the social, political, and economic elements of life. For example, communal labor was utilized in the construction of homesteads, the clearing of farmland, and the provision of other essential services for the growth of the community.

Some previous attempts at rural development failed owing to the absence of PEOPLE, the crucial element of development. This is due to the fact that community development is recognized as a genuine tool for attaining national development. Its curriculum assists in realizing the potential of the people by ensuring their active participation in the planning and implementation of development initiatives. The great majority of people continue to lack access to both basic and social facilities. Acceptance of the reality that true development can only occur when the people are organized for communal action is also required (Wealth, 2022).

Despite government efforts to promote significant development at the local level, numerous towns remain in a pitiful condition of stagnation and neglect. In contrast to how it is seen by the rest of the world, Nigeria is still lagging behind in terms of development. Due to inadequate planning and administration, many community initiatives were abandoned. As a result, the community department is unstable within a ministry and is shuffled from one ministry to another based on the whims and caprices of the ruling administration. Local communities’ inability to speed their growth was hindered by government authorities’ inability to assign community development a clear priority. Major impediments to the actualization of community development programmes in Nigeria include: a lukewarm attitude towards the maintenance of community development programmes, the migration of people from Badagry to other cities, the false belief of the people that the government could and should provide for all their needs, inadequate funding on the part of individual members, illiteracy problems, and communal clashes between community members and their neighbors.

Although, some treaties and declarations were signed and entered into between the Akran Badagry, his white-caped high chiefs, and Her Majesty, the Queen of Great Britain between 1842 and 1864, it is noteworthy that such treaties, such as the treaty of commerce of 19th June (1861) and treaty of cession of 7th July (1863), were merely to prepare the ground for the effective and eventual commercial development of Badagry, which was in fact a significant commercial center (Atakpo 2022).

According to Pelumi (2022), the character of the individuals engaged in community development would have a significant impact on the success of the program. Residents of Badagry have diverse ethnic backgrounds, a growing population, and differing political ideas due to the existence of several political groupings.

In addition, we are all aware that money are limited, especially when considering the insatiable nature of man’s desires and the current economic limitation the nation has suffered in recent years. Unavailability of finances can undermine even the most well planned development programs. This may be the element most likely to impede the implementation process.

In addition, because Badagry is a border town for many West African countries, the influx of immigrants into the community contributes greatly to the erroneous estimation of the number of residents in a particular area, which prevents well-planned community development programs from being effective in these areas. Participation of a great number of individuals is frequently influenced by ethnic considerations. As a result, it would be impossible to assemble a group of individuals, as their perspectives will in most cases be dissimilar (Pelumi 2022). The nature of the society itself is negative since it is very socially stratified, and individuals at the lower level (less privileged) may not choose to engage or participate due to their ignorance, so giving the privileged the last say. Those residing in villages such as Panko, Erikiti, Ilogbo, Iyaafin, Isalu, Topa, Gberefu, Ganyingbo, Farasime, Agonvi, Agadangba, and Ajando, to name a few, had felt little to no intervention as regards community development in their locales, despite the fact that the local government is established and charged with providing certain social amenities for the populace.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The underdevelopment of villages in Badagry is more than a mere word; it is visible. It is observed that many neighborhoods and streets lack technological and all other means of subsistence, such as: electricity supply generated, paper-borne water, ill-equipped schools, and other social services that have deteriorated to the point where many hospitals are now “death centers” rather than medical centers and many of the roads are in appalling condition (Ayo, 2022). The number of jobless teenagers on the streets has grown dramatically, and the resulting general unrest has become a severe threat to the community’s social and economic progress. In light of this, this study explores the factors impeding the implementation of community development programs in the Badagry community.

OBJECTIVES OF THE STUDY

The primary objective of this study is to assess the factors impeding the implementation of community development programs. Specifically, other objectives of this study are:

i.          To determine whether population impedes the implementation of community development programs.

ii.        To determine whether government policies impedes the implementation of community development programs.

iii.      To determine whether finance impedes the implementation of community development programs.

iv.      To determine whether literacy of the population impedes the implementation of community development programs.

 RESEARCH QUESTIONS

The following research questions will be answered:

i.          Does population impede the implementation of community development programs?

ii.        Does government policies impede the implementation of community development programs?

iii.      Does finance impedes the implementation of community development programs?

iv.      Does literacy of the population impedes the implementation of community development programs?

 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

The researcher seeks to investigate the variables impeding the implementation of community development programs in Badagry local government and identify those aspects that impeded the programs’ performance.

This would increase our grasp of community development, particularly in rural regions, and our comprehension would go a long way towards enhancing community development in Badagry local government and other difficult locations of similar sort, as well as community development in general.

 SCOPE OF THE STUDY

This study is focused on assessing the factors impeding the implementation of community development programs. This study is focused on determining whether population impedes the implementation of community development programs, determining whether government policies impedes the implementation of community development programs, determining whether finance impedes the implementation of community development programs and determining whether literacy of the population impedes the implementation of community development programs.

Staff and residents of Badagry Local Government Area will serve as participants for the survey of this study.

LIMITATIONS OF THE STUDY

As with any human endeavor, the researcher experienced small impediments while performing the study. Due to the scarcity of literature on the subject as a result of the discourse’s nature, the researcher incurred additional financial expenses and spent additional time sourcing for relevant materials, literature, or information, as well as during the data collection process, which is why the researcher chose a small sample size. Additionally, the researcher conducted this inquiry in conjunction with other scholarly pursuits. Additionally, because only a small number of respondents were chosen to complete the research instrument, the results cannot be applied to other secondary schools outside the state. Regardless of the limits faced throughout the investigation, all aspects were reduced to ensure the best outcomes and the most productive research.

 DEFINITION OF TERMS

Factors: A circumstance, fact, or influence that contributes to a result.

Implementation: The process of putting a decision or plan into effect; execution.

Community development: The United Nations defines community development as “a process where community members come together to take collective action and generate solutions to common problems.”